GILMAN CITY, MO: Russell Keith Williams, 97, of Gilman City, MO passed away Thursday, May 25, 2017 at his home outside Gilman City, MO.
He was born August 25, 1919 in Ridgeway, MO the son of Isaac T. and Laura J. (Edson) Williams.
He graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1937, and did farm work until he entered the U.S. Army in 1942. He served with the 5th Armored Division in Europe and was wounded in the battles of Hurtgen Forest, receiving the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in October of 1945.
On October 18, 1947, he married Kathleen Andrick in Kansas City, MO. They had 5 children: Patrick, who was stillborn, Hilen, Bruce, Rosemary, and Patricia.
They moved to the farm outside Gilman City in 1948, where he remained until his death. He was a dairy farmer and loved his family, making people laugh, the Royals, his mules and his coon hounds. Russell was also a member of Kirkley Chapel Church.
Russell was preceded in death by his sons, Patrick and Hilen; his wife, Kathleen; his parents; 7 brothers and sisters, Jewell Nelson, Ruby Burnette, Opal Foutch, Ocy Bucher, Arlyne Strait, Dean Williams, and Kenneth Williams; and son-in-law, Larry Taylor.
He is survived by his son, Bruce (Ramona) Williams, Bethany, MO; daughters, Rosemary Taylor, Hiawatha, KS; Patricia (Jim) Prewitt, Navasota, TX; 6 grandchildren, Matt Williams, Melanie (Tryce) Polley, LC Williams, Taylor Prewitt, Jackson Prewitt and Carson Prewitt; 3 great grandsons, Isaac Williams, Gabriel and Brody Polley; sister-in-law, Maxine Williams; brother-in-law, John R. Andrick; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 17 at Kirkley Chapel Church, Ridgeway, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Inurnment with military rites will follow in Kirkley Chapel Cemetery, Ridgeway, MO. Memorial Contributions may be made to Kirkley Chapel Cemetery in care of Roberson Funeral Home, PO Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com